The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) of the State Bar of Texas International Law Section (ILS) sponsors this annual essay contest as part of its commitment to provide information and guidance on international human rights issues to Texas lawyers and law students. The contest is open to any U.S. law student with a personal or essay nexus to Texas (e.g. Texas law school, Texas resident, topic addressing Texas, etc.).
A first-place prize of $1,500 will be awarded for the best entry as judged by representatives from the Section. If sufficient entries are received, second and third place prizes may also be given. The winner(s) will also be publicly recognized at a Section sponsored event. Additionally, essay(s) may be offered publication in the Section’s online newsletter, Global Law Review.
Submissions are due April 30, 2026 on or before 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time) and should be sent by email attachment to Diana Marin at admin@ilstexas.org. The email should have the subject header “Human Rights Essay Contest” and contain the contact information for the author(s). The contestant’s name and other identifying markings such as school name are not to be listed in the attached document.
The essay may address any aspect of international human rights law that the contestant chooses. There are no minimum or maximum word limits, and papers should be double-spaced, with twelve-point font and one-inch margins in a Microsoft Word or similar format. Again, the contestant’s name and other identifying markings such as school name are not to be included in the document.
The first-place winner will be required to submit a completed W-9 form prior to receiving the award and is responsible for all taxes associated with the award. The ideas and work reflected by each entry must be the author’s or author’s own. This contest is governed by U.S. law and all relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. The winner will be required to submit proof of eligibility.
“Decolonization of Global Mental Health: Why Western Bias in Global Mental Health Causes the WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan to Fail” - St. Mary's University School of Law
“Russia’s Forcible Transfer and Deportation of Ukrainian Children” - SMU Dedman School of Law
“Fighting With Food: Prosecuting The War Crime of Starvation” - SMU Dedman School of Law
“Continuing Crimes Under the Rome Statute” - SMU Dedman School of Law
“Forced Marriage Reform in the International Criminal Law” - SMU Dedman School of Law
“Penance and Punishment: Seeking Reparations from Truth-Commissions & Trials” - SMU Dedman School of Law
